FSC-certified timber climbing frame in a public play space – natural playground equipment by Duncan & Grove

Natural Playground Equipment

Duncan & Grove is a leading manufacturer of natural playground equipment, specialising in high-quality timber play structures for parks, schools, housing developments, visitor attractions, and urban spaces. With over 13 years of experience delivering award-winning playgrounds, we are a trusted partner to landscape architects, developers, councils, and organisations around the world.

We offer a catalogue of over 400 timber playground products with more than 1,000 variations — from climbing frames and swings to fully bespoke playground designs tailored to your site. Every structure is manufactured in-house, including all steel components and rope nets, giving us full control over quality, customisation, and compliance. Built from FSC-certified tropical hardwood and robinia, our equipment is naturally durable, low maintenance, and chemical-free. All products are independently certified to BS EN 1176, ASTM, and CSA standards, and backed by some of the longest guarantees in the industry.

Choosing Duncan & Grove means working with a partner who understands the demands of public spaces, the expectations of design professionals, and the value of safety, durability, and responsive service. Our playgrounds are installed across the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond, with over 50% of our work going to export. We operate from our UK headquarters, with a design office in Hamilton, Canada, and a new manufacturing facility being established in Buffalo, New York — giving us the capacity to support large-scale projects with local production.

Durable cableway systems for playgrounds and parks

Geometric natural timber climbing frames

Natural forest climbing frames

Classic traditional climbing frames for natural play

Organic leaning climbing frames for natural exploration

Attractive, organic log climbing frames for natural playgrounds

Relaxing timber hammocks for natural play settings

Durable play nets for natural playground adventures

Charming structures for imaginative, small-group play

Accessible, inclusive timber roundabouts

Interactive features for sensory and nature-based play

Innovative timber seesaws that blend movement and balance

Panels and features for tactile, sound, and visual engagement

Durable stainless steel slides for natural play zones

From toddler to group swings, all built with natural materials

Adventure trails for agility, balance, and strength

Playground Design & Build

We design, engineer, and manufacture bespoke natural playground equipment in collaboration with landscape architects, designers, and public bodies. Whether working from an idea sketch or a full design package, we provide certified, site-ready structures tailored to your brief, budget, and landscape.

Our in-house process covers feasibility, prototyping, fabrication, and installation support. With over 13 years’ experience, we’ve delivered custom playgrounds for iconic sites like Kew Gardens, Battersea Power Station, and the International Peace Garden.

bespoke natural playground equipment battersea

Inclusive Playgrounds

We believe natural playgrounds should be open and accessible to everyone. Our timber play equipment includes inclusive features such as wide decks, ground-level activities, sensory elements, and accessible roundabouts — and our bespoke service allows further customisation to meet the needs of your site and community.

Inclusive design is now a standard requirement in many public projects — and we’re here to help you meet and exceed those expectations.

natural playground equipment sand and water play

Play Safety

All Duncan & Grove playground equipment is independently certified to BS EN 1176, ASTM F1487, and CSA Z614 safety standards. From structural integrity and fall zones to anti-entrapment detailing and material safety, every design is engineered with public safety in mind.

Our team works closely with independent play inspectors, safety auditors, and local authorities to support smooth approvals and long-term compliance.

Architectural details of the play structures at Chobham Farm, highlighting bespoke design elements.

Sustainability

Choosing sustainable timber is one of the most effective ways to protect the rainforest. Our natural playground equipment is built to last over 30 years and uses only FSC-certified hardwoods sourced from responsibly managed forests. By creating long-term value for the forest, certified forestry prevents land from being cleared for mining, agriculture, or illegal logging. When you choose Duncan & Grove, you’re not just building better playgrounds — you’re supporting the future of the rainforest and the communities that depend on it.

Materials

We build our natural playground equipment to exceed a 30-year life span, using only FSC-certified hardwoods and high-performance materials engineered for durability, safety, and minimal maintenance.

FSC-Certified Tropical Hardwoods

We use dense tropical hardwoods like Ekki (Azobé) and Bilinga — known for their incredible strength, resistance to rot, and performance in harsh outdoor environments. Commonly used in marine construction, Ekki offers exceptional structural integrity even in ground or water contact. Bilinga provides similar durability with a slightly lighter tone and excellent resistance to fungi and insects. Neither timber requires chemical treatment, ensuring a natural, child-safe finish and significantly reducing lifecycle costs.

FSC-Certified Robinia Hardwood

We also offer structures made from Robinia, a durable European hardwood suited to organic, sculptural forms. All Robinia components undergo a five-step treatment process including debarking, air drying, knot removal, and stainless steel cross-bolting — ensuring long-term stability and reduced splitting or cracking over time.

Stainless Steel

We use 304-grade stainless steel as standard, with 316-grade options for marine or corrosive environments. If requested our timber posts are elevated off the ground on hot dip galvanised mild steel footings to prevent decay.

Ropes & Nets

We use wire-reinforced braided nylon rope, aluminium ferrules, and stainless steel fixings. This combination offers superior tensile strength, durability, and vandal resistance — while maintaining the flexibility needed for safe, dynamic play.
PHOTO PLAY SL.WD .GR .250 wide slide 2.5m playground equipment 02

Manufacturing

All of our natural playground equipment is manufactured in-house, giving us complete control over quality, detail, and compliance. Our production facilities are located in the UK near Gatwick Airport and in Buffalo, New York — allowing us to serve both European and North American projects efficiently.

We fully assemble every piece of equipment at our manufacturing facility before shipping. This enables us to carry out thorough quality checks and ensure full compliance with relevant play safety standards prior to delivery. It also ensures a smoother and faster installation process on site.

We combine modern CNC manufacturing with traditional hand-finishing to deliver architectural-grade results across three core disciplines:

Carpentry & Woodworking

Our timber elements are shaped using precision CNC cutting and brought to life by skilled craftspeople with years of joinery experience. Every beam, joint, and edge is hand-finished to enhance the natural beauty and durability of the material.

Steel Fabrication

We fabricate all our steel components in-house using advanced machinery including laser cutters, section rollers, CNC press brakes, and MIG/TIG welding. This allows us to deliver custom stainless steel details with tight tolerances and a high-end architectural finish.

Rope & Net Making

Unlike most suppliers, we produce our net systems in-house. Each rope element is crafted from wire-reinforced braided nylon and secured with aluminium ferrules and stainless steel fixings. The result is a custom-made net that’s strong, flexible, vandal-resistant, and tailored to the specific geometry of the product — enhancing safety, performance, and longevity.

This end-to-end manufacturing approach ensures every playground we deliver meets the highest standards of craftsmanship, safety, and design integrity.

PHOTO PLAY TT.SP .03.2 log scramble natural playground equipment 05

Delivery

We ship our playground equipment as fully assembled as possible to reduce the amount of installation work required on site. This approach makes it easier for groundwork and landscaping contractors to install the equipment themselves, saving time and cost during construction.

With experience delivering playgrounds around the world — from Europe and North America to as far as Tasmania — we understand the logistics of international freight and packaging. Our team ensures every shipment is carefully prepared, protected, and documented for smooth delivery and assembly wherever your project is located.

natural playground equipment delivered assembled

Installation

Our equipment is designed to be straightforward and efficient to install. Because we ship products as fully assembled as possible, the foundation work can be excavated in advance of delivery — allowing most equipment to be lifted into place with minimal on-site construction. Any remaining components, such as rope nets or attachments, can then be secured quickly and easily.

We provide detailed installation instructions and are happy to send an experienced installer to support your team as needed. Alternatively, we can coordinate installation through one of our trusted professional partners who have extensive experience fitting Duncan & Grove playgrounds.

PHOTO PLAY TT.PO .01.2 stepping stumps playground equipment 04

Warranty

We stand behind every product we make. From planning to post-installation, we support our clients with transparent communication, responsive service, and industry-leading warranties.

If you ever need advice, maintenance guidance, or replacement parts — we’re here to help, long after your playground is in use.

bespoke timber playground equipment claremeont park

Awards

PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER – URBAN REGENERATION
Woodhouse Urban Park, BALI Awards 2016
WINNER – BEST PUBLIC SPACE
Woodhouse Urban Park, New London Architecture Award 2017
HIGHLY COMMENDED – REGENERATION
Woodhouse Urban Park, RICS Award 2017
PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER – COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS
Alexandra Road Park, BALI Awards 2016
PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER – REGENERATION SCHEME
Alexandra Road Park, BALI Awards 2016
WINNER
Alexandra Road Park, Camden Design Award 2017
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Drapers Field, WAN Landscape Award 2014
PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER – COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT
Holland Park Adventure Playground, BALI Awards 2020
AWARD WINNER – HARD LANDSCAPING CONSTRUCTION
Holland Park Adventure Playground, BALI Awards 2020
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Holland Park Adventure Playground, New London Awards 2020
AWARD WINNER – COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT
School in North London, BALI Awards 2020
GRAND AWARD WINNER
The Children’s Garden Kew, BALI Awards 2019
PRINCIPAL AWARD WINNER – COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT
The Children’s Garden Kew, BALI Awards 2019
WINNER – HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION
Jellicoe Water Gardens, Landscape Institute Award 2017

Testimonials

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